Plow



June 23, 1942.- E. N. BENEHE..

PLOW

Fiied Jan, 21, 1941 Sheets-Sheet 1 'ATTOR NEYS June 23, 1942. E.y N. BENEFIEL PLOW Filed Jan. 21, 1941 3 sheets-sheet 2 am @v mf/ Q Edward, .Men'efj/eb ATTORNEYS June 23 1942 E. N. BENEFIEL l v423875017 PLow l l Filed Jan, 21, 1941 a sheds-sheet;

ArToRNEYs Patented June 23, 1942 1U NITE D STATES PATENT (OFFICE PLOW Edward N.!Benefiel,'Warren, Ohio, assignor of one-half to Watson Pfouts, Pittsburgh, Pa.

My invention relates to new and useful improvements in plows.

An Vimportant object of my invention'is to provide ka gang plow construction wherein 'the plows are mounted for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis and wherein all of the plows are interconnected in a manner to vbe simultaneously manually actuated, whereby the operator may uniquely adjust the plows so that the land slide thereof will at all 'times maintain a Vvertical position relative to a horizontal plane regardless 'of the surface slope of the ground being plowed.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a gang plow 'construction ofthe abovementioned character wherein the'adjus'table feature of vthe plows will prevent the earth'from being thrown too far downhill or not vfar enough uphill when the side of a hill is being plowed and wherein the furrow may be Vmaintained at a con- In the drawings, forming a part of this specification, and wherein like numerals areremployed to designate like parts throughoutthe same,

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a'devce' embodying my invention,

Figure 2 is a top plan vview thereof,

Figure 3 is a fragmentary top plan view of the device and illustrating in detail lone of the plows used in carrying out the invention, which view shows parts broken away and parts in section to facilitate the illustration of ythe construction,

Figure 4 is a side elevation of the same,

Figure 5 is a rear elevation thereof,

Figure 6 is a side elevation of Ha Coulter embodying a part of my invention, l

Figure 7 isa rear elevationtherof, andshowing the same adjusted for use on level ground,

Figure 8 is a'rear elevation ofthe coulter but showing the same adjusted for use in plowing a sloping surface,

Figure 9 is a rear elevation Vof my gang plow construction showing the same adjusted for plowing level ground, and

Figure 10 is a rear elevation of the gang plow construction but lshowing the same adjusted for plowing a sloping surface.

` In the accompanying drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred ernbodiment of my invention, the numeral Il) designates a supporting framework which carries all of l the various parts and appurtenances of my plow.

The framework comprises spaced parallel longitudinal bar members II, I2 and I3 connected at their forward end by the transverse bar I4. The bar members II, I2 and`l3 are of gradually -increasing length and the free ends thereof are formed with'depending supporting arms I5, I6 and I'I, respectively. In order-'that the depending arms may be maintained in Xed parallel relation 'witheach other,'I'have provided theessentia'lly Z-s'haped braces vI8 which extend therebetween an'd have the opposite endsthereof bolted or otherwise' 'secured thereto. The upper portion of the armsll, I6 and I'l is disposedat right angles to'the longitudinal bars in a manner to normally extend in a vertical plane; however,v the `ing arms. `Theouter knuckles V2Ira4nd`22 of the hinges comprise the rolled extremities of straps 23 and 24 riveted, or otherwise secured, to the inner face ofthe landside 25 of the plow. The plows are of conventional shape and construction and the straps are adapted to hold the same pivotally associated with the various arms for movement about a horizontal axis. As best illustrated'in Figure 5, the rolled ends of the straps project inwardly from the landside adjacent its lower edge whereby lthe hinge joint will be located intermediate the landside and the plowshare 21. By positioning the knuckles in this manner the outer face 28 of the landside 'may contact the vertical wall Yof the furrow without interference from anyof the connecting parts. The arm V29 of the strap 23 extends from the upper edge of the landside in the direction of the moldboard of the plow and the downwardly vbent end 30 thereof is riveted or otherwise secured to the "moldboard It is to be understood that a plow 2&5 similar in every detail tothe plow hereinabove described is similarly connected to each of the depending supporting arms I5, I6 and II and that, .byreason of the pivotal connection of Ythe 'plows with the extremity of the arms, each 4of 'the plows `is permitted to move about a horizontal axis and may, therefore, be disposed at varying angular positions relative t the framework.

The rearward edge of the upper portion of `each of the supporting arms projects substa-ntially rearwardly of the inclined lower portion thereof and this rearwardly projecting part is enlarged to provide a bearing having a vertical bore 3| which receives the crank arm 32. Each of the crank arms is provided with an annular collar 33 which overlies and rests upon the upper edge of the bearing to limit the downward movement of the crank relative thereto. of the crank arms extending below the bearings is bent inwardly and terminates above the arm 29 of the strap 23. A connecting link 34 is fastened to the lower end of each of the crank arms by a universal connection 35 and the .opposite ends of the links Aare pivotally connected to the arms 29 of the hinge strap substantially laterally of the hinge 20. By reason of the offset formation of the lower` end of the crank arms, rotation 4of the same within the bearings 3| will either push or pull the link 34 to pivot the plows about their connecting hinge. Obviously, the direction in which the plows will be tilted will depend upon the direction in which the crank arms are rotated.

The portion of the crank arms extending above the bearings is provided with a semi-circular plate 36 integrally connected to its respective crank arm at substantially its middle whereby parts thereof will extend at opposite sides of the bearing. In order that each of the crank arms may be simultaneously rotated, I have provided a connecting rod 31 provided'with depending Shanks 38 at spaced intervals along its length which are received within .openings adjacent one end of the plates 36. The depending shanks enter each of the plates at the same side of the bearing and the connection therebetween is es` sentially loose to permit free pivotal movement of the shanks relative to the plates. Thus, movement of the rod longitudinally above the plates will cause each .of the plates to simultaneously rotate in a manner to swing the offset lower ends of the crank arms to rock the plows about their horizontal axes.

In order that the connecting rod 31 may be axially moved in the manner described, I have provided an operating lever I which extends intermediate the longitudinal bar members I2 and I3 of the framework and in spaced parallel relation therewith from the transverse bar member I4 to the brace I8. The lever is pivoted to the brace and the end 52 extends therebeyond, which end is angularly offset and connects with the rod 41 by a pin and slot connection 53. The springpressed latch bar 54 is manuallyreciprocably operated by the actuator handle 55 which is pivoted to the lever adjacent its distal end. Advancement and retraction of the latch will cause the working end thereof to enter into or withdraw from the notches 56 in the segmental keeper 51. When the latch is in a retracted position the lever 5I may be moved about its pivot to swing the end 52 thereof and swinging of the end 52 will effect longitudinal movement of the connecting rod 31 to effect the results described above.

Obviously, the rearward end of the framework will be supported by the plows 26. The forward end thereof is supported by a pair of wheels 39 carried by the axle 40 which is rotatably journaled in the bearings 4I bolted, or otherwise Se- The portion cured, to the bottom edges of each of the longitudinal bar members II, I2 and I3. As best illustrated in Figure 2, the axle extends transversely of each of the members and projects beyond the outer members I I and I3. Each of the projecting ends are bent downwardly at substantially right angles thereto and the extremities of the downwardly projecting arms are bent outwardly to receive the wheels 39. The axle 4B is, therefore, a substantially U-shaped element with the ends thereof bent outwardly to receive the wheels and with the base portion thereof journaled to the underside of the framework. The purpose of this arrangement is to permit the framework to be raised or lowered to regulate the cutting depth of the plows. I have, therefore, provided a manually operated lever 43 the lower end of which is provided with an eyelet 44 which receives the base of the axle and is held in xed association therewith by the set screw 45. A spring-pressed latch 46 is carried by the lever and advanced or retracted by the actuator handle 41 which is pivoted to the lever 43 adjacent its outer end. Advancement and retraction of the latch will cause the same to enter or withdraw from the notches 48 in the segmental keeper 49. As illustrated in Figure 1, engagement of the latch within the foremost notch will raise the framework a maximum distance above the ground and, as the same is caused to enter each succeeding notch, the framework will be lowered slightly by reason of the fact that the arms of the axle will be caused to move angularly in the direction of the framework.

As in all devices of this nature, provision is made for attaching the same to a tractor, or the like. I have provided a drawbar or coupling 42' which projects forwardly of the transverse bar member I4 of the framework and which is provided with a plurality of vertically spaced openings 50 for receiving a bolt element. The bolt may be used to connect the frame to the attaching lug of the tractor and, obviously, as the lever 43 is moved progressively rearwardly the framework will pivot about the attaching bolt and cause the plows to cut deeper into the ground.

Figures 9 and 10 best illustrate the utility of the device. As is well known to those familiar with the art, it is often necessary that the plow be moved along a sloping ground surface. A relatvely small proportion of the ground to be plowed is level and, as the wheels of the plow rise along the sloping ground surface, the plows enter the ground normally to the surface thereof but angularly relative to a horizontal plane. If the plow enters the sloping ground surface normally thereto and if the moldboard is positioned to throw the furrow slice downhill, the furrow slice will be thrown a greater distance than if the plow is traversing level ground. Conversely, if the moldboard of the plow is positioned to throw the furrow slice uphill the slice will not be thrown as far as if the plow were traversing level ground. If all of the plows may be tilted so that the landsides thereof will provide a furrow the vertical wall of which is normal to a horizontal plane, the ground will be evenly plowed and the gang arrangement will work collectively in a manner heretofore achieved only by a single plow. Even though the ground surface is sloping the ends of the depending arm portions I5, I6 and I1 will each be disposed the same distance therefrom, whereby each of the -plows will be caused to cut the same depth into the soil. The abovefeaure is illustrated for a plow traversing level ground in'Figure 9, and for a plow traversing a hillside in Figure 10. For a plow operating in the manner illustrated in Figure 9, the operating lever is placed in a neutral position so that the bottom surfaces of all of the plows will be disposed on the same level. For a plow operating in the manner in Figure 10, the lever 5| is pivoted so that all of the plows will be tilted a distance suicient so that the bottom edges thereof will remain in a horizontal plane. Obviously, the bottom edges of each of the plows will be disposed at a different level but each plow will cut the samedistance into the soil and the furrow slice of each plow will be regular in size in a manner to throw the dirt evenly and smoothly.

Another feature of the device resides in the arrangement andoperation of the coulters 58 operating in advance of each of the plows. As in previous devices of this nature, one coulter is disposed in front of each plow and the disk 59 thereof is adapted to clear any trash or surface growth and to slice the sod, if any, so that the plow will make an essentially clean furrow. If the plow is to be tilted, then obviously it will be necessary that some provision be made for adjusting the coulters relative to the plows.

As best illustrated in Figure 1, the landsides of the plows are disposed slightly laterally of the longitudinal bar members Il, I2 and I3 of the framework. I have, therefore, provided a bearing 60 which is secured to and projects from the mentioned side of each of the longitudinal bar members. A sleeve 6| is received within each of the bearings and the set screw 62 holds the same xedly andv nonrotatably therewith. A crank arm 63 is rotatably received by each of the sleeves, the end of the arm extending above the sleeve being provided with a laterally extending arm 64 and the end thereof extending below the sleeve is bent angularly in the direction of the plow, as at 65. The extremity 66 of the angularly bent portion is, in turn, bent in a direction away from the plow and at substantially right angles to the end 65. A coulter disk 59 is carried by each of the crank arms and each of the disks is provided with a yoke 61 the base of which is provided with a sleeve bearing 68 which is rotatably associated with the extremity 66 of its respective crank rod.

A portion of each of the sleeves extends below their supporting bearings and the extending portion thereof is provided with an essentially inverted V-shaped slot 69 which receives the shank l0 extending radially from the crank rod passing therethrough. When the Shanks are disposed at the apex portions of the slots the crank rods will be disposed in the manner illustrated in Figures 6 and '7 to position the coulter disks directly below the bearings. The coulters should be thus positioned when the plows are adjusted for operation in level ground.

In order that the operation of the coulters will be synchronized with the operation of the plows I have provided connecting rods 1| the ends 12 of which are received within one of the openings 'I3 in the lateral arm 64 of the crank rod and the ends 14 of which are received within an opening 15 in the plate 3B directly therebehind. Obviously, each of the coulters is connected to its respective plow and the end 14 of the connecting rod attaches to the plate at one side of the bearing 3| and in diametrically opposed relation to the attaching shank of the connecting rod 31.

Each of the connecting rods 1| is preferably bisected intermediate its ends and the turnbuckle 16 is connected to the screw-threaded ends of the severed portions whereby the length of the rods may be varied to properly coordinate the action of the coulters with the action of the plows. Thus, when the connecting rod 31 is manually actuated by the operating lever 5| to rotate the plates 36, both the plows and coulters `will be moved. As the plows are tilted either to the right or to the left each of the coulters will be correspondingly moved either to the right or to the left. By reason of the swivel-like attachment of the coulter with the crank arm, the disk will operate in the same manner as a conventional castor to maintain itself in alignment with the direction of travel of the device.

The manner in which the ends 65 of the crank arms are angularly disposed will permit the coulter disks to automatically position themselves normal to a horizontal plane and in parallel relation with the tilted landsides of the plows. The coulters will thus be permitted to perform their duties just as well when the plows are tilted as when the same are disposed in the conventional horizontal position relative to the framework. If the framework is tilted, as on a hillside, and the crank arms 65 are rotated it is obvious that the disk will be raised slightly from the ground surface. I have, therefore, provided for this contingency by the slot 69 and shank 10. As the crank arm is rotated from the neutral position the shank will be moved from the apex of the slot along one of the arms. A The slot will therefore act as a cam to slide the crank arm axially within the sleeve in a direction to lengthen the portion thereof extending therebelow. 'I'herefore, as the crank rod is rotated it will be extended a distance suilicient to compensate for the elevation of the same by the rotation of the rod.

The coulter disk will thus be maintained in proper association with the ground surface and with the landside of its respective plow at all times regardless of the sloping surface of the ground or the tilted position of the plow. The operation of all of the adjustable features is controlled by the single operating lever 5| and the plowman, by the mere expediency of angularly moving the lever, may adjust both the plows and coulters to the requisite angle quickly and with a minimum of expenditure of time and labor.

It is to be understood that the form' of my invention, herewith shown and described, is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, and that various changes in the size, shape and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of my invention, or scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a gang plow construction, a plurality of plows mounted to pivot about a horizontal axis, a coulter arranged to travel in advance of each of the plows and adapted to swing about a vertical axis, and a master control means for simultaneously moving the plows and coulters about their respective axes.

2. In a gang plow construction, a plurality of plows mounted to pivot about a horizontal axis. a coulter arranged to travel in advance of each of the plows and adapted to swing about a vertical axis, a master control means for simultaneously moving the plows and coulters about their respective axes, and means for automatically raising and lowering the coulters simultaneously with the rotation thereof about their axis.

3. In a gang plow construction, a plurality of supporting members laterally and longitudinally spaced from each other, a plow pivotally secured to each of the members for movement about a horizontal axis, a vertical crank arm carried by each of the said members, each of said arms having the adjacent end thereof received by its respective plow at one side of its pivot, and means for simultaneously rotating each of the said crank arms to move the plows about their pivots.

4. In a gang plow construction, a plurality of supporting members, a plow pivotally secured to each of the members for movement about a horizontal axis, a vertical crank arm carried by each of thesaid members, each of said arms having the adjacent end thereof received by its respective plow at one side of its pivot, a connecting rod connecting with the distal end of each of the crank arms at one side of its pivot, a coulter arranged in front of each of the plows for movement about a vertical axis, and means synchronizing the movements of the coulters and crank arms about their respective axes.

5. In a'gang plow construction, a plurality of supporting members, a plow pivotally secured to each of the members for movement about a horizontal axis, a vertical crank arm carried by each of the said members, each of said arms having the adjacent end thereof received by its respective plow at vone side of its pivot, a connecting rod connecting with the distal end of each of the crankarms at one side of its pivot, a Coulter arranged in front of each of the plows for movement about a vertical axis, and connecting rods connecting at one end `with the coulters at one side of their axes and connecting at the other end thereof with the crank arms at the side of their axis remote from connecting parts of the said first-mentioned rod.

6. In a gang plow construction, a plurality of supporting members, a plow pivotally secured to each of the members for movement about a horizontal axis, a vertical crank arm carried by each of the said members, each of said arms having the adjacent end thereof received by its respective plow at one side of its pivot, a connecting rod connecting with the distal ends of each of the crank arms at one side of its pivots, a coulter mounted in front of each of the plows for movement about a vertical axis, connecting rods connecting at one end with the coulters at one side of their axes and connecting at the other end thereof with the crank arms at the side of their axis .remote from connecting parts of the said rst-mentioned rod, .and manual. means connecting with the :said rstrod for'moving .the same in a vmanner 'tosimultaneously actuate each of the said 4plows and coulters.

7. In a gang plow construction, a plurality of supporting members, a `plow pivotally secured to each of the members 'for movement about a horizontal axis, a vertical-crank arm carried by each of the said members, each of said arms having the adjacent end thereof received by its respective plow at one side Iof 'its pivot, vertical sleeves carried by the supporting members forwardly of the plows, a crank arm .rotatably mounted in each of the saidsleeves, each of said arms having a radial shank normally lreceived at the apex of an inverted 'V-shaped slot `in the supporting sleeve, whereby rotation of the arms in either direction willcause pins to move within the'slots to lower the coulters rrelative to the supporting members, and means for synchronizing the movements of all of lthe said crank arms.

8. In a gang splow construction, a plurality of supporting members, a plow pivotally secured to each ofthe members for movement about a horizontal axis, a vertical crank arm carried by each of the said members, each of said arms having the adjacent Vend thereof received by its respective plow at one side .of its pivot, vertical sleeves carried by the supporting members forwardly of the plows, a `crank arm rotatably mounted in each of the ysaid sleeves, each of said arms having a radial shank normally received at the apex vof an inverted V-'shaped slot in the supporting sleeve, whereby rotation of the arms in either direction will ycause Ypins to move within the slots to lower the coulters vrelative to the supporting members, connecting rods having depending 'shank portions pivotally received by parts of the said first crank arms at one side of their pivots,'connecting rods connecting with the said rst crank-arms 'at-the opposite side of their pivot and with laterally extending parts of the said second crank arms, and `a manually actuated bell crank lever having a pin and slot connection with the said first connecting rod.

9. lIn a gang plow construction, a supporting framework, vertical Y'sleeves carried by the supporting framework, a crank 'arm rotatably mounted in each of the said sleeves, each of said arms having a radial 'shank normally received at the apex of an inverted V-shaped slot in the supporting sleeve, coulters swiveled to the lower ends of the crank arms, whereby rotation ofthe arms in either direction will cause pins to move within the slots to lower the coulters relative to `,the v'supporting members.

vEDWARD N. BENEFIEL. 

